Boring head supporting and adjusting means for continuous mining machine



A. WARD BORING HEAD SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1962 XNVENTOR. Dona/d +4- Ward July 7, 1964 D. A. WARD ,140,120

BORING HEAD SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Dona/d A. Ward July '7, 1964 D. A. WARD BORING HEAD SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 17, 1962 INVENTOR. Dona/d A. Ward United States Patent O 3 140 120 BORING HEAD SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE Donald A. Ward, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 17, 1962, Ser. No. 195,594 8 Claims. (Cl.29955) This invention relates to improvements in continuous mming machines and more particularly relates to an improved mounting for the frame structure supporting the rotary boring heads of a continuous mining machine.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved support for the cutter frame structure carrying the cutting assembly of a continuous mining machine, arranged with a view toward simplifying the adjusting means for the cutter frame structure and reducing the operations necessary to adjust the cutter frame structure to p ositionthe cutting assembly in the proper position for nnnmg.

A further object of the invention is to improve upon the mounting for the cutter frame structure of a continuous mining machine, by replacing the tilting cylinders at the back end portion of the machine with a solid link, adjustable only when the boring heads are changed for different cutting heights.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simplified and improved form of continuous mining machine of the type having a plurality of rotary boring heads supported on a cutter frame structure, adjustable vertically and angularly relative to the main frame of the machine, in which the cutter frame structure is supported at its front end by independently operable hydraulic jacks and is supported at its rear end by a solid link, so constructed and arranged as to control tilting of the cutter frame structure to tilt about a relatively flat angle, and in which the thrust reactions of cutting are taken at the front of the machine adjacent the independently operable hydraulic jacks.

A still further object of the invention is to improve upon the continuous mining machines heretofore in use, by supporting the cutter frame structure carrying the rotary boring heads of the machine on a three point support, comprising independently operable hydraulic jacks at the front of the machine mounted on the main frame of the machine for universal movement with respect thereto and an adjusutable solid link in rearwardly spaced relation with respect to the cutter frame structure, and by taking the thrust reactions of mining at the front of the cutter frame structure by devices arranged to relieve the jacksfrom sidewise pressure as well as the direct longitudinal thrust reactions.

These and other objects of the invention Will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation of a continuous mining machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with certain parts thereof broken away in order to show the supporting means for the rear end portion of the cutter frame structure of the machine;

- FIGURE 2 is a partial fragmentary transverse sectional View taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1 and looking toward the front of the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a partial fragmentary enlarged detail top plan view, showing the supporting connection between the solid link, at the rear end portion of the cutter frame structure, and the cutter frame structure;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the front end portion of the machine;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail view showing certain details of the connection from the solid link to the cutter frame structure; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial fragmentary rear end view of a modified form of solid link and connection from the solid link to the rear end portion of the cutter frame structure of the machine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in vertical section.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown in FIGURE 1 a continuous min ing machine of the boring type having a mobile base or main frame 10 having a cutter frame structure 11 supported upon the forward end of the main frame 10 and extending in advance thereof. The cutter frame structure 11 is vertically and angularly adjustable with respect to the main frame 10, to conform a pair of laterally spaced rotary boring heads 12 to the seam being mined, by a support and adjusting means constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds.

The boring heads 12 are rotatably mounted on and project forwardly of the cutter frame structure 11 for cutting contiguous bores in the working face of a mine in a manner well known to those skilled in the art, so only described in sufficient detail herein to render my present invention readily understandable. The boring heads 12 herein shown are of a type having retractible cutter supports 13 retractible about axes 15, spaced radially from and extending transversely of the axis of rotation of said boring head, to accommodate ready tramming of the machine from working place to working place.

The main frame 10 is supported on the usual laterally spaced continuous traction tread devices 16, which serve to tram the machine from working place to working place and to feed the boring heads 12 into a mine face during the mining operation. The continuous traction tread devices 16 are driven independently or simultaneously of each other in a conventional manner, and are no part of the present invention, so need not herein be shown or described.

The cutter frame structure 11 has an upper trimmer or cutter bar 17 extending across the forward end thereof rearwardly of the boring heads 12 and having a trimmer chain 18 guided for movement therealong, for cutting out the cusps left between the boring heads 12 and depending from the mine roof. The trimmer bar 17 is mounted on the usual hydraulic jacks 19 operable to vertically adjust said trimmer bar in accordance with the cutting diameters of the boring heads 12.

The cutter frame structure 11 also has a lower trimmer or cutter bar 20 supported thereon in depending relation with respect thereto on hydraulic jacks 21, operable to vertically adjust said trimmer bar to conform to the cutting diameters of the boring heads 12 and to raise said trimmer bar above the ground, when tramming the machine from working place to working place.

The trimmer chain 18 turns about the usual direction changing idlers 22 at opposite ends of the trimmer bar 17 and inwardly and downwardly therefrom to and around the usual drive and tension sprockets (not shown) and outwardly and downwardly of said sprockets to and around Patented July 7, 1964 The slots 29 accommodate the inclined trough section 27 to float along the ground about a transverse axis 31 at the rear end of said trough section and serve to raise said trough section above the ground when it is desired to tram the machine from working place to working place, as the hydraulic jacks raise the lower trimmer bar above the ground, and the lower ends of the slots 29 come into supporting engagement with the pins 30.

The conveyor 27 may be a known form of laterally flexible endless chain and flight conveyor having a laterally swingable discharge end portion 32, swung from side to side, to position the discharge end of said discharge end portion to load onto a shuttle car or the like spaced to either side of the center line of the machine. As shown herein, a hydraulic jack 33 connected between the main frame of the machine and one side of the laterally swingable discharge portion 32 of the conveyor, is provided to position the discharge end of the conveyor in the desired discharged position.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the cutter frame structure 11 is raised and lowered and supported at two points by means of lifting cylinders 37 partially recessed within opposite side portions of said cutter frame structure and depending therefrom. The cutter frame structure is also supported and stabilized at a third point by a solid link generally designated by reference character 35 and connected between a pair of arms 36 projecting rearwardly of said cutter frame structure.

Each cylinder 37 has a piston 39 extensible from its lower end, having a downwardly opening socket 40 forming a universal bearing socket for a rigid load transmitting member 41 (FIGURE 2). The load transmitting member 41 in turn has universal bearing engagement with an upwardly facing socket 42 on the main frame 10.

The lateral and longitudinal thrusts of boring are transmitted to the main frame 10 by a pair of laterally spaced pusher posts 43 depending from the cutter frame structure 11, and spaced inwardly of the cylinders 37 and pistons 39 and substantially in alignment therewith (FIGURES 2 and 4). Said pusher posts have generally rectangmlar lower end portions 44, opposite faces of which have slidable engagement with shoes 45 and 46, transversely pivoted to upright standards 47 and 48 on pivot pins 49 and 50 respectively.

Thrust transmitting shoes 51 longitudinally pivoted between the standards 48 and 49 on pivot pins 53 slidably engage the inner engaging faces of the engaging end portions 44 of the pusher posts 43, to take the lateral thrusts of mining and to accommodate tilting of the cutter frame structure 11 about an axis extending longitudinally of the main frame 10.

Referring now in particular to FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and and the adjustable solid link connection between the main frame and the cutter frame 11, the link 35 is shown in FIGURE 2 as including spaced clevises 55 having rods 61 threaded therein and connected together by a transverse bar 70. The clevises 55 extend along opposite sides of trunnion plates 56 and are pivoted thereto on pivot pins 57. Each trunnion plate 56 is trunnioned for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of the main frame 10 in spaced trunnion supports 59, 59 projecting upwardly from a plate 60 of the main frame 10.

The rods 61 threaded in the clevises 55 project upwardly from said clevises and have flat connectors 63 mounted on their upper ends and projecting upwardly therefrom. The connectors 63, as shown in FIGURE 5, each have a bearing 65 mounted therein having a generally spherical interior bearing face engaging the generally spherical surface of a ball member 67. The ball member 67 forms a self aligning bearing for a pin 69, mounted at its opposite ends in the furcations of the bifurcated end portion of the transverse bar 70, it being understood that the transverse bar 70 has similar bifurcated end portions and that each bifurcated end portion is connectedwith a connector 63 on a pivot pin 69. The bar 70 extends between a rear transverse connector 71 and a forward transverse connector 72 and is pivotally connected thereto on a pivot pin 73 extending generally longitudinally of the main frame 10. The transverse connectors 71 and 72 are connected at their opposite ends to the arms 36, 36 extending rearwardly of the cutter frame structure 11.

The link 35 including the clevises 55 and threaded rods 61 and transverse bar 70 thus forms a solid reaction member about which the cutter frame 11 may be tilted about axes extending either transversely or longitudinally of the machine by operation of the lifting cylinders 37.

The solid link 35 is adjusted in accordance with the cutting diameters of the boring heads and need only be adjusted when the cutting diameters of the boring heads 12 are changed. The cylinders 37 and pistons 39 thus serve to tilt the cutter frame structure 11 and boring heads 12 about the rearwardly spaced solid link 35 at a relatively fiat angle.

In FIGURE 6 of the drawings, I have shown a modified form in which the link 35 may be constructed. In this form of the invention the same part numbers will be applied to the same parts that were applied to the form of link shown in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and 5. The connectors 63 on the upper ends of the shaft 61 are pivotally connected between the furcations of bifurcated arms 73 of bell cranks 74 on pivot pins 75. The pivot pins 75 connecting the spaced arms 73 of the bell cranks 74 to the connectors 63 may be connected to said connectors by means of ball and socket self-aligning bearings, in the same manner the pivot pins 69 are connected to opposite ends of the transverse bar 70. The bell cranks 74 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on brackets 76 on pivot pins 77. The brackets 76 are mounted on and extend outwardly of the arms 36 at the rear end portions thereof. The bell cranks 74 have upright lever arms 79 pivotally connected to opposite ends of a transverse equalizing bar 80 on pivot pins 81.

In a modified form of the invention just described, the transverse bar 80 serves as an equalizing bar and tends to maintain the cutter frame structure 11 level, or in parallel relation with respect to the ends of the connectors 63 of the solid link 35, where the threaded shafts 61 of said solid link may be adjusted to different lengths, as where it may be desirable to tilt the cutter frame structure 11 about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it may be readily understood that various variations and modifications in the invention may be attained without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts thereof as defined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting the cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two hydraulic jacks depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame adjacent the forward end thereof and pivotally movable with respect to said main frame about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame,

a pair of spaced pusher posts depending from said cutter frame structure and having slidable bearing engagement with said main frame to take the lateral and longitudinal thrust reactions of mining, an arm extending rearwardly of said cutter frame structure,

a solid link supporting said arm on said main frame asubstantial distance rearwardly of said jacks, said link being mounted on said main frame for movement about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame and having pivotal connections with said arm for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame and reacting against said jacks to control vertical angular movement of said cutter frame structure and effect tilting of said cutter frame structure at a relatively flat angle, upon operation of said jacks.

2. In a continuous miningmachine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting the cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two hydraulic jacks depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame adjacent the forward end thereof and pivotally movable with respect to said main frame about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame,

a pair of spaced pusher posts depending from said cutter frame structure and having slidable bearing engagement with said main frame to take the lateral and longitudinal thrust reactions of mining, an arm extending rerwardly of said cutter frame structure,

a solid link supporting said arm on said main frame a substantial distance rearwardly of said jacks, said link being mounted on said main frame for movement about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame and having pivotal connections with said arm for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame and reacting against said jacks to control vertical angular movement of said cutter frame structure and effect tilting of said cutter frame structure at a relatively flat angle, upon operation of said jacks,

and said solid link being adjustable vertically to accommodate adjustment of said cutter frame structure for varying diameters of boring heads.

3. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting said cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two spaced elevating jacks depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

at least one arm projecting rearwardly of said cutter frame structure,

and a solid link providing a reaction member for said main frame and accommodating tilting of said cutter frame structure at -a relatively flat angle by operation of said hydraulic jacks, and comprising a pair of spaced adjustable legs pivotally supported on said main frame adjacent their lower ends for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

a transverse bar connecting the upper ends of said legs together,

the connection between opposite ends of said bar and said legs being a universal bearing connection, and a pivotal connection from said bar to said arms including a pivot pin extending generally perpendicular to said legs and connected between said bar and said arms.

. 4. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting said cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two spaced elevating jacks depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

at least one arm projecting rearwardly of said cutter frame structure,

and a solid link providing a reaction member for said main frame and accommodating tilting of said cutter frame structure at a relatively flat angle by operation of said hydraulic jacks,

and said legs comprising clevises having rods adjustably mounted therein to accommodate the adjustment of said solid link to boring heads of varying cutting diameters.

5. Ina continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting said cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two spaced elevating jack depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

a pair of spaced arms projecting rearwardly of said cutter frame structure,

and a solid link providing a reaction member for said main frame and accommodating tilting of said cutter frame structure at a relatively flat angle by operation of said hydraulic jacks,

said solid link comprising two legs adjustable in length and pivotally mounted on said main frame for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversley of said main frame,

a pair of spaced bell cranks, a pair of longitudinally extending pivot pins connecting said bellcranks to said arms at the rear end portions thereof and intermediate the ends of said bellcranks,

each bellcrank having one lever arm pivotally connected to the upper end portion of one of said legs for movement about axes extending generally longitudinally of the machine and a second lever arm extending from said one lever arm,

and a transverse bar longitudinally pivoted to the second lever arms of said bell cranks at its opposite ends.

6. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for both the main frame and the cutter frame structure,

improved means for supporting and adjusting the cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to the main frame comprising:

two laterally spaced elevating jacks supporting one end portion of the cutter frame structure on the main frame for adjustable movement about a plurality of axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

guide means connected between said cutter frame structure and said main frame for taking the thrust reactions of cutting,

7 Y a and means supporting the opposite end of said cutter frame structure from said jacks,

and forming a solid reaction link accommodating tilting of said cutter frame structure about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said cutter frame structure comprising two legs transversely pivoted to said main frame at their lower ends,

a transverse bar,

generally longitudinally extending pivot pins pivotally connecting opposite ends of said transverse bar to said legs at the upper end portions of said legs,

and a longitudinally extending pivotal connection between said cutter frame structure and said transverse bar at the longitudinal center of said transverse bar,

said longitudinally extending pivotal connection forming the third point of a 3-point suspension for said cutter frame structure.

7. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and said cutter frame structure,.

means for supporting and adjusting said cutter frame structure at various angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two laterally spaced fluid pressure cylinders and pistons supporting said cutter frame structure on said main frame and supported on said main frame for movement about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame,

spaced pusher posts extending from said cutter frame structure in horizontal alignment with said jacks,

and bearing shoes mounted on said main frame and engaging the forward and rear sides of said pusher posts and taking the thrust reactions of mining from said jacks,

and solid adjustable support means spaced rearwardly of said jacks and forming the third point of a 3-point suspension for said cutter frame,

comprising a pair of legs pivoted to said main frame for movement about axes extending transversely and longitudinally of said main frame,

a transverse bar,

generally longitudinally extending pivot pins pivotally connecting said bar to said legs at the upper ends thereof,

and a generally longitudinally extending pivot pin extending along the longitudinal central axis of said cutter frame and pivotally connecting said bar to said cutter frame midway between said legs and jacks.

8. In a continuous mining machine,

a main frame,

a cutter frame structure supported on said main frame and having a cutting assembly at its forward end capable of cutting clearance for said main frame and cutter frame structure,

means for supporting and adjusting said cutter frame structure at varying angles and heights with respect to said main frame comprising two spaced elevating jacks mounted on and depending from said cutter frame structure and having bearing engagement with said main frame for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame,

a pair of arms projecting rearwardly of said cutter frame structure,

a separate bellcrank pivotally mounted on each arm intermediate its ends for movement about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the machine,

and a solid link providing a reaction member for said cutter frame structure and accommodating tilting of said cutter frame structure by operation of said hydraulic jacks,

said solid link comprising spaced legs pivoted to said main frame at their lower ends for movement about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said main frame, each bellcrank having one lever arm connected with the upper end of an associated leg for movement about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the machine,

each bellcrank also having a second lever arm extending at an angle to said first lever arm,

and a transverse equalizing bar connected between said second arms of said bellcranks and generally longitudinally extending pivot pins pivotally connecting opposite ends of said transverse equalizing bar to said other arms of said bellcranks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,757,917 Cartlidge Aug. 7, 1956 

6. IN A CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE, A MAIN FRAME, A CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE SUPPORTED ON SAID MAIN FRAME AND HAVING A CUTTING ASSEMBLY AT ITS FORWARD END CAPABLE OF CUTTING CLEARANCE FOR BOTH THE MAIN FRAME AND THE CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE, IMPROVED MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING THE CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE AT VARYING ANGLES AND HEIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIN FRAME COMPRISING: TWO LATERALLY SPACED ELEVATING JACKS SUPPORTING ONE END PORTION OF THE CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE ON THE MAIN FRAM FOR ADJUSTABLE MOVEMENT ABOUT A PLURALITY OF AXES EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID MAIN FRAME, GUIDE MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE AND SAID MAIN FRAME FOR TAKING THE THRUST REACTIONS OF CUTTING, AND MEANS SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE FROM SAID JACKS, AND FORMING A SOLID REACTION LINK ACCOMMODATING TILTING OF SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE ABOUT AXES EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE COMPRISING TWO LEGS TRANSVERSELY PIVOTED TO SAID MAIN FRAME AT THEIR LOWER ENDS, A TRANSVERSE BAR, GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PIVOT PINS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TRANSVERSE BAR TO SAID LEGS AT THE UPPER END PORTIONS OF SAID LEGS, AND A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE AND SAID TRANSVERSE BAR AT THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER OF SAID TRANSVERSE BAR, SAID LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PIVOTAL CONNECTION FORMING THE THIRD POINT OF A 3-POINT SUSPENSION FOR SAID CUTTER FRAME STRUCTURE. 